FLUENT Unveils Bag-O, a New Value Brand for Florida Medical Marijuana Patients, Launching Today

Cansortium Inc., a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis company operating under the FLUENT brand, today announced the launch of Bag-O, a new value-focused line of premium cannabis flower, available to Florida medical marijuana patients starting today, January 7.

“With an emphasis on quality and affordability, Bag-O offers patients access to cannabis at competitive prices, expanding FLUENT’s product offerings and reinforcing its commitment to accessibility”, states a press release.

“Bag-O was developed in direct response to patient feedback, addressing the growing demand for larger quantities of high-quality cannabis at an affordable price point,” said Robert Beasley, CEO of FLUENT. “Thanks to our vertically integrated operations, we maintain strict quality control throughout the entire process—from cultivation to packaging—ensuring that our patients receive premium cannabis in larger quantities without the premium price tag. We’re proud to meet this demand and look forward to expanding Bag-O to new markets.”
Continue reading

Nevada: $800 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in 2024, $120 Million in Taxes Garnered

Nevada had another strong year of legal marijuana sales, topping $800 million for the third straight year.

Data from the Nevada Cannabis Information Portal shows that there was $636,604,252 worth of marijuana sold legally in Nevada between January and September. According to the research firm Headset, the state sold an additional $165,276,918 between October and December, bringing the yearly total to $801,881,170.

Around 75% of these sales came from Clark County, around 13% came from Washoe County, and the remaining 12% came from “all other counties”.
Continue reading

Cannabis Testing Market to Grow in Value From $2.5 Billion in 2024 to $12 Billion in 2034

The global cannabis testing services market is projected to expand from $2.5 billion in 2024 to over $12 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.26%.

This growth is fueled by the increasing legalization of cannabis worldwide, heightened awareness of safety and quality standards, and advancements in testing technologies, according to a new Research and Markets report.

Legalization for medical and recreational cannabis in regions such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe and Asia has led to a surge in demand for comprehensive testing services, notes the report. Currently, 39 U.S. states allow medical marijuana, with 24 states also legalizing recreational use. These changes underscore the importance of reliable testing to meet evolving regulatory requirements.

Among testing services, potency testing leads in revenue generation, driven by the need to accurately measure THC and CBD levels for compliance and consumer safety. Innovations like the Trust in Testing Certification, introduced by ACT Laboratories and SC Labs, highlight the industry’s push for standardized testing protocols. Meanwhile, flower testing dominates sample types due to its prevalence in the market, with extracts showing the fastest growth, thanks to their use in edibles and concentrates.

Regionally, North America commands the largest market share due to established testing labs and stringent regulations. The Asia Pacific region, however, is expected to grow at the fastest rate, spurred by the adoption of medical cannabis in countries like Thailand and Japan.

As cannabis legalization continues to spread, the industry’s focus on rigorous testing will remain essential to ensure product quality, consumer safety, and regulatory compliance. For more information on this report, click here.

Clinical Trial: Psilocybin Shows Sustained Benefits in Treating Depression Over Six Months

A phase 2 clinical trial published in eClinicalMedicine and the US National Library of Medicine shows that psilocybin may be effective in treating severe depression.

The study, conducted by researchers from Imperial College London, University of California San Francisco, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and McGill University, involved 59 participants. Patients were randomly assigned to either two 25 mg doses of psilocybin combined with psychological support or a six-week course of escitalopram with matched psychological support. The primary outcome assessed changes in depressive symptoms using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR-16).

At the six-month follow-up, both treatments showed sustained improvements in depressive symptom severity, with no significant differences between the groups in primary outcomes (mean difference in QIDS-SR-16: 1.51, p = 0.311). However, secondary outcomes highlighted advantages in the psilocybin group, which showed greater improvements in social functioning, psychological connectedness, and meaning in life.
Continue reading

Report: Hemp-Derived CBD Market Valued at $9.6 Billion, to Grow to $46 Billion by 2034

The global hemp-derived cannabidiol market size was estimated to be $8.28 billion at the end of 2023, growing to nearly $10 billion to end 2024, according to a new report.

The report by Research and Markets found that the global CBD market is expected to reach $46.25 billion by 2034 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.93% during the forecast period 2024-2034.

“Growing demand for CBD in personal care and cosmetics, shifting consumer acceptance of CBD, hemp legalization, regulatory changes, increased R&D, and a shift toward natural and plant-based wellness products will all contribute to the market’s growth”, notes the report. “The global shift towards natural, plant-based products is driving an increasing demand for CBD, which is recognized as a natural alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for alleviating pain, stress, and inflammation.”
Continue reading

University of Illinois Springfield Launches Five Online Cannabis Career Certificate Programs

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) has partnered with Green Flower, a leading cannabis education provider, to launch five online certificate programs aimed at preparing individuals for careers in the rapidly expanding marijuana industry.

These programs, which span six months, are designed to be completed entirely online, allowing participants to balance their education with other commitments.

The available certificate programs include:
Continue reading

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Sales Top $715 Million in 2024, Garnering Over $80 Million in Taxes

Oklahoma medical marijuana dispensaries sold over $715 million worth of product in 2024, garnering the state tens of millions in tax revenue.

According to date released by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), the state garnered $24.5 million from a 7% excise tax on medical marijuana sales in the second half of 2024, adding to the $25.6 million garnered between January and June. Based on these numbers, medical marijuana patients purchased $716 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products throughout 2024.

Oklahoma garnered an additional $32 million from medical marijuana sales via the 4.5% state sales tax. In total, Oklahoma brought in around $82 million in medical marijuana tax revenue in 2024.
Continue reading

Study: Kratom Leaf Extract Shows Promise as Antibiotic Alternative in Tilapia Aquaculture

A recent study published in the peer reviewed journal Fish & Shellfish Immunology found that kratom extract “has the potential to be used as a substitute for antibiotics in the management of bacterial infections in Nile tilapia.”

The study explored the effects of an ethanolic extract derived from Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves on Nile tilapia. The research aimed to evaluate the extract’s impact on growth, antioxidant capacity, immune-related gene expression, and resistance to bacterial infections caused by Edwardsiella tarda.

The study found that the extract contained significant levels of phytochemicals, including total phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C, and antioxidants, with 5.42% of the crude extract consisting of mitragynine. Antioxidant activity was demonstrated through IC50 values for ABTS and DPPH radicals and ferric reducing power assays. Additionally, the extract inhibited bacterial growth with an MIC-IC50 value of 0.625 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 2.50 mg/mL against E. tarda.
Continue reading

Minnesota Governor Announces Departure of Office of Cannabis Management Director, Interim Director Appointed

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced today that Charlene Briner will step down after building the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from the ground up.

In the announcement, Walz and Flanagan announced that OCM General Counsel Eric Taubel will serve as interim director.

“Charlene Briner has gotten Minnesota’s emerging cannabis industry off the ground in a safe and responsible way. It’s no easy task to build a regulatory framework around an entirely new industry from scratch, but under Charlene’s leadership, Minnesota laid the foundation for a successful marketplace for years to come,” said Governor Walz. “I am excited to welcome Eric Taubel as the new interim director. Eric is a proven, effective leader who brings legal expertise and a deep understating of state government and regulatory affairs. He will ensure continued growth and success as we work to make Minnesota competitive in this new industry.”
Continue reading

States With the Cheapest Legal Marijuana Prices to Start 2025: Oregon, Michigan and Massachusetts Top the List

21 states currently have licensed recreational marijuana stores open for business, with Delaware and Minnesota joining the list later this year. In this article, we breakdown which of these states have the cheapest average prices.

Among the states with legal marijuana sales, prices can vary widely, shaped by factors such as tax rates, supply, and local market conditions. Below is a closer look at the states offering the lowest prices for a gram of dried marijuana flower, based on data from state regulatory agencies and market analysts at the research firm Headset.
Continue reading